St. John, author of "Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer" and former New York Times reporter, visited Tuscaloosa in summer 2013 on behalf of GQ magazine to write the in-depth look Saban, titled "Sympathy for the Devil."

On Thursday, he'll shed light on the process that put him closer to Saban and the coach's day-to-day schedule than any writer in recent memory.

"Warren St. John is not only an extremely gifted writer, he’s also a master at grasping the psychology of the people he writes about," said Wilson Lowrey, chair of the UA department of journalism, according to a release. "We’re fortunate he’s agreed to give us a peek into the process behind his craft."

St. John’s public speech will be 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20, in Reese Phifer, room 216.

He will discuss the broader field of journalism, the mechanics of his GQ piece on Saban, and he will answer questions from the audience, according to the release.

St. John is a Birmingham native whose book on Alabama football fanaticism, "Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer," chronicled the Crimson Tide's 1999 season by following the team from game to game an in RV.